LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Anthony Davis
Trail Blazers power forward is finally getting the credit he deserves as one of the best, if not the best, power forward in the NBA. But there’s a new challenger for that title, as New Orleans’ Anthony Davis has shown in just his second season that, when healthy, he’s a handful on both ends of the floor.
Make no mistake: Davis is not yet on Aldridge’s level, but the 6-11, 220 pound forward who was selected with the first pick of the 2012 Draft out of Kentucky is already one of the best defensive big men in the league. He’s not as skilled as Aldridge offensively, but he’s shown flashes of the inside/outside game that has made Aldridge such a difficult player to guard.
Davis suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left hand that caused him to miss seven games this season and he missed 18 games his rookie season with various injuries, so staying healthy has been an issue. But if he can avoid injury going forward, there might be another name to discuss when conversation turns to who the best power forward in the NBA really is.
LaMarcus Aldridge
• Ranks seventh in the NBA in scoring (23.4 points per game), rebounding (10.9 rebounds per game) and double doubles (17)
• Joined Sidney Wicks (1971-72) as the only Trail Blazers with at least 700 points and 300 rebounds in Portland's first 30 games of a season
• Has recorded his nine game of at least 25 points and 10 rebounds, second-most in the NBA this season
Anthony Davis
• Leads the NBA in blocks with an average 3.1 per game and is 10th in rebounds per game at 10.4
• Is second among power forwards in steals at 1.52 per game
• Ranks fifth among all players in PER at 26.94